County Studies Convention Center Deal

Broward`s Tourist Development Council could spend $7 million to help a developer build a convention center as long as the county would own the facility, a legal official said Thursday.

But Sue Delegal, the county`s general counsel, said she would have to conduct further research to see if the county can split ownership with developer Leonard Bloom.

Bloom suggested at a meeting with county officials that a corporation could be formed between his company and the county. That corporation would then hire a management firm to operate the convention center on a day-to-day basis.

``One thing we`re looking into is can the county own stock in a corporation,`` Delegal said.

Bloom, a San Diego-based dentist turned developer who owns the Sunrise Musical Theatre, is proposing a convention center, arena and hotel complex to be located next to the theater. The total cost has been estimated at $200 milion.

The 250,000-square-foot convention center itself is expected to cost between $70 million and $90 million.

Bloom has vowed to bring professional hockey and basketball teams to the arena, although officials from the two leagues say they are unaware of Bloom negotiating the possible transfer of a franchise.

The tourism council is expected to discuss an agreement with Bloom at a meeting April 18. Before then, the County Commission`s auditor, Norman Thabit, will investigate Bloom`s finances.

As further security, County Commissioner Nicki Grossman said the construction funds would not be given to Bloom until he has banked enough money to show he can build a convention center. Both the tourism council and the commission first would have to agree to such a project, which would be named the Broward County Convention Center.

The money Bloom is seeking is in a special fund set aside by the tourism council for convention center construction. Those funds can be used only for the center. Bloom will have to build the rest of the complex with his own money, according to tourism officials.